How to reduce our carbon footprint

The environment is an everyday topic. It was recently announced that the government is appointing a team to devise a plan to reduce Malta's greenhouse gas emissions. Reduction targets are ambiguous unless the 20 per cent European benchmark is intended.

If we look around us we will notice that as a rule our country is polluted up to its eyebrows. Wherever we are we experience some kind of pollution. This is brought about by the energy and water generating plants, industry and ICT sectors, servicing and maintenance companies, commercial and private transport. These and others contribute to the ever-increasing environment pollution, in the form of gas, noise, waste or dust.

The government must consistently enforce existing laws and increase pollution fines. Otherwise it will be helping the polluters to laugh their way to the bank!

The following suggestions, which combine good practice and standard regulations, would contribute to the creation of cleaner environment and at the same time a reduction in the energy bill.

• Draw up energy saving plans for the government departments, schools, colleges and university. Map the results against a carbon footprint. Designate responsiblities to achieve and maintain targets.

• Launch a national CO2 website. The aim of such sites is to promote ways to reduce carbon emissions on a personal level through simple, everyday changes which if adopted by everybody would have an enormous impact. The UK government and the EU have such sites.

• The Water Services Corporation and Enemata have the responsibility to encourage and educate all their customers to economise and reduce energy consumption. This could be in the form of "energy saving tips" posted with the invoice.

• Vehicle "fuel saving tips" distributed by the car dealers, vehicle licensing office or the media.

• State subsidy for the users of alternate energy systems. The existing subsidies for solar water heating should be increased. Subsidies will be the same for all users.

• Zero energy buildings concept to be integrated in the government's strategy for new buildings.